Our providers have a special interest in treating athletes with overhead and throwing injuries. Dr. Vela specifically has been performing arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, elbow and wrist for collegiate and high school athletes for more than 15 years. He was one of the first to perform arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs in the mid-Willamette Valley and currently leads in performing arthroscopic rotator cuff surgeries in the region.
Arthroscopic surgery requires a smaller incision than traditional surgery and utilizes a small camera to see inside the joint. It typically results in less scaring and quicker recovery times for patients. In traditional surgery doctors create larger incisions, allowing them to view the inside of the joint in a different manner. Depending on the procedure and circumstance, one type of surgery may be preferable to another.
Dr. Vela is highly specialized in arthroscopic surgery techniques. He prefers this method, as it typically leaves patients with less pain and stiffness, fewer complications, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times.
| Areas of Expertise |
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Shoulder injuries
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Arthroscopic surgery for:
- Rotator cuff
- Tears impingement/bursitis Shoulder instability-traumatic
- Multi-directional instability-atraumatic
- Frozen shoulder
- A/C arthritis
Open surgery for:
- Gleno-humeral (shoulder) arthritis
- A/C separation
- A/C arthritis
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| Elbow injuries |
- Arthroscopic surgery for the elbow
- Loose bodies (small pieces of broken cartilage) in the elbow joint
- Inflamed or damaged lining of the joint
- Arthritis
Open surgery for:
- Tennis elbow
- Distal biceps
- Ruptured ulnar
- Collateral ligament tears (Tommy John surgery) Ulnar nerve releases Fractures
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| Wrist injuries |
- Arthroscopic surgery for wrist injuries
- Ligament tears
- TFCC (cartilage) tears
- Inflamed or damaged lining of the joint fractures (Scaphoid/Distal Radius)
Open surgery for:
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Wrist reconstruction
- Wrist partial/total fusion Fractures/dislocations
- Wrist ganglions
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| Hand injuries |
- Carpal tunnel syndrome Trigger finger Dequervain's disease Ganglions of the finger/hand
- Finger/thumb arthritis Fractures/dislocations Tendon/nerve
- Lacerations
- Ligament injuries Dupuytren's disease
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